The Footman

by S.A. Burd

Heartbroken over her father's death, Cynthia is left behind with her step-mother and step-sisters. Her half-baked scheme to flee her home with her valiant steed, Luke, is stopped before it's ever begun. Enter the mysterious fairy god-mother Cynthia never knew she had, who, with a wave of a wand, turns her into a lady worthy of a prince, the mice into horses, and her horse into a strapping footman—a footman who will stoke her desires and awaken the impossible. Destiny comes for Cynthia, but will it spell her demise after the climax?

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2025

Reviews

[Sam’s Sagas · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was one wild ass Cinderella retelling lol. The completely different direction that went with the palace and who she falls for caught me off guard lol obviously based off the title the footman is a main character, and man oh man did he play that part 🤣 The phrase “hung like a horse” has taken things far too seriously, so be prepared for quite the star feature of the show lol Thank you to S.A. Burd for the eARC, it was hilarious and fantastic! Short and to the point with a HEA.

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 for me
This was a really fun, quick read that took the Cinderella story and turned it on its head in the best way possible with some very interesting spice 😉😏.

As for the characters you have a lot of side character involvement but the story centers around Cynthia, Chad and Luke. For Cynthia this poor girl is just trying to live her life and grieve her father, but she is getting pulled all over the place by Chad and the other people in her life that I don't know how this girl didn't have whiplash. But she was strong and bold where she could be and smart as well to understand that in some situations you plot quietly instead of confronting them head on. Chad, I wanted to punch the creepy Mother fucker in the face and then the balls for good measure. Luke was a sweetheart with his whole my Cynthia and just wanting her as his person and then his mate.

Overall, this was a fun grown up retelling of Cinderella that had me entertained and I was able to finish it in a day, and I think most people would be able to as well.


----

This book is about Cynthia who is dealing with the recent loss of her father. Thankfully she has her horse Luke to help her deal with her grief and her stepmother and stepsisters who are trying her patience to say the least. But everyone has their limits and eventually Cynthia hits her and comes up with the crazy idea to flee her home with only her horse and whatever money she has sewn into her dress. But this hairbrained scheme is cut short when she runs into none other than Prince Chad. Now she is somehow going to a ball in his honor with the help of a fairy godmother who uses her magic to dress her like highborn lady, turning the mice on her farm into horses and taking her beloved horse and turning him into a footman. A big strong strapping footman who cares only about her, her wants and her needs for the impossible. But like any magic it all comes with a price and that price could have Cynthia riding to her own demise.

I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review, and I am also the PA of the author.

[tattooedbooknerdgirl35 (Amanda Lynn) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just have to say S.A. Burd wrote another fantastic book with the Footman, it was a magical re-telling of Cinderella. This story blew me away with the twist and turns.

This story follows the characters Luke and Cynthia, just let me tell you the twist and turns these two characters face and everything else that happens with the royal family and Cynthia’s family is just beyond fantasy, S.A. Burd takes you into a world of fantasy, wonder, spicy, twisted tale and how you’ll be surprised who Luke is and how Cynthia meets him. This story will push the boundaries of twisted and leave you shocked and completely wanting more. Definitely a must read, S.A. Burd always leaves a story ending where you go what’s next.

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Save a man, ride a horse—literally.
This isn’t your average Cinderella retelling—unless your version involves a heroine falling for a mysterious footman who also happens to be the horse of her dreams. Yes, you read that right. Kathryn Kingsley isn’t the only one who can make you question your fairy tale canon—S.A. Burd just served up romance with a magical, equestrian twist.

Our leading lady swaps glass slippers for grit, navigating palace politics, whispered scandals, and a footman whose smolder could set hay on fire. The worldbuilding is lush, the banter is sharp, and the chemistry? Enough to make you skip the ball entirely.

Verdict: A dreamy, cheeky, horse-powered romance that gallops straight into your heart—and maybe your fantasies.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very spicy and unexpected twist to the original Cinderella story. This was such a quick read and I enjoyed every minute of it!

[Chris Redd · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mouth is still hanging open after reading S.A Burd's The Footman. It has everything you want in a Cinderalla retelling, the evil step sisters, the fairy godmother, the cute little mice and man oh man does it have the horse.

If you want a twisty, turney tale that gallops into taboo territory with a very chivalrous horse MMC who's large in ALL the ways...then step on up, this books for you!

I don't want to give too much away, but I love S. A. Burd's fun take on a not-so-Prince Charming.

Prepare yourself for a wild and slightly unhinged ride!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Footman” by S.A. Burd is a spicy, imaginative retelling of Cinderella that had me hooked from the very beginning.
The story follows Cynthia as she grieves her father’s death and secretly plans her escape from her cruel step-mother and step-sisters, with only her loyal horse, Luke, for comfort. Her world shifts when she discovers she has a fairy godmother who transforms mice into horses, Luke into a footman, and Cynthia herself into a lady capable of capturing a prince’s attention. Along her journey, she encounters passion, betrayal, and unexpected allies as she pieces together her true destiny.
S.A. Burd’s writing is light, engaging, and easy to follow. With 19 chapters and 328 pages, it’s a fast, addictive read that was genuinely hard to put down. Each character has a distinct personality, making the cast memorable and easy to differentiate. I also appreciated the thoughtful trigger warnings at the beginning. The scenes are vividly described, and the pacing hits that perfect balance, never rushed, never dragging.
I had the pleasure of meeting S.A. Burd at the KC Book Beat – Lit and Libations Fall 2025 event. Hearing her talk about her books made me excited to dive into her worlds, but this one in particular stood out, and I knew I had to read it first. The themed book box it came with included adorable goodies that hinted at upcoming plot points. I didn’t understand them all at the time, but after finishing the story, everything clicked. S.A. Burd is fun, bubbly, and a delight to chat with, which made reading her work feel even more special.
I sincerely hope more fairy-tale retellings are on the way, because this was an absolutely delightful twist on a classic. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys twisted retellings, spicy themes, and surprising endings. I haven’t read anything quite like this before, and it’s made me excited to dive into more stories in this style.

[Tracy Booktalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥰 Beautiful! What a touching story. No, you will not ever see this ending coming! I was having the most difficult time just trying to make notes as I read since I was so captivated by the storytelling of S. A. Burd!
🧚 This is the best Cinderella retelling you will read, I promise! When the last chapter comes and all the answers come to what truly transpired to bring this perfect ending you will be smiling!
📚 This is the story of Cynthia who lives with her father Henry! After her Mum passes away Henry is persuaded to marry again so Cynthia has a “Mum” to help her! Henry marries Lynn but she comes with two deplorable, despicable, rotten daughters who make life He!! for Cynthia! For her 16th birthday Henry gifts his daughter with a horse, Luke! Luke becomes Cynthia’s best friend and confidante!
🫅 Queen Victoria is the wicked Queen who marries the King after his wife passes away! Queen Victoria has a son, Chad (🤢 yuck, yuck) who is a momma’s boy. Loves his momma a little too much! Queen Victoria uses her evil magic and finds out that Cynthia is key to having the kingdom all to herself! Chad sets out to make this happen. I will not give you any spoilers but I will just say from the point the story twists left and right to bring you to a very shocking ending!
⭐️ struck! I wish I could give more than five stars because The Footman could not be any more perfect … the story, the cover, but that ending - OMG yes, yes, yes!!!! I am running to read this again because it is just that good!

[Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Gahhhh have I told you lately how much I love everything I have read by SA Burd? This one had me blushing so much I had to stop reading it because my BIL was staying with us over the weekend. I can normally control my face filter but 🥵🥵 holy hotness. I adored this spin on the Cinderella story. It had more plot, more action, more characters, more plot twists, and more spice than most. And it wrapped up nicely and didn’t feel like I was missing anything even though is was of a shorter length. Like Chad 😂 yes. There is a friggin Chad in this. Definitely check it out if you are looking for a short and spicy retelling!

❤️ Tropes ❤️
💋 Cinderella retelling
💋 murderous prince
💋 tricky magic
💋 forbidden love

Cynthia only has her horse left. Her father passed a couple of days ago, leaving her with her evil stepmother and stepsisters. She can’t stand it anymore. She is going to take her horse Luke and run away. But a fairy godmother shows up and insists she goes to the ball at the castle tonight. With magic she turns Cynthia’s outfit into one fit for a princess, complete with a carriage, horses to draw it, and her horse turned into a footman to drive it. Well, she supposes she can go. She can always run away tomorrow, what harm could one more night do?

[Marianne Antonichuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this is a Cinderella retelling and at the beginning you see the Cinderella part the fairy godmother the mice the footman it’s amazing but it’s not like your Cinderella your used to there is so much more to this story like what happens with the footman omg the ending I never saw coming there is magic in here as well I think this author needs to do another retelling this is so good and I was able to read this from beginning to end without stopping it’s a quick read but so much in there so many things to talk about this one but don’t want to give spoilers and you need to read it to see omg this book is amazing

[Jamie Samland · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wake up, there's a new book by S A Burd!"

I'm a slow reader, and I don't remember the last time I chewed through a book as quickly as I did this one. The fairy godmother whips out some magic to help Cynthia have her perfect night, turning the pumpkin into a carriage, the mice into horses, and the horse into her footman. But ... oops... the magic missed a spot, transforming the horse into a man. Wink wink.

This book knows what it is and never takes itself too seriously. I mean, really... Prince Chad.

Full honesty and transparency: S. A. Burd is a dear friend, so I'm biased here, but I'll read and love anything from her. Despite all that, this really is a fun read.

[MzNerdy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC copy for an honest review. I give it 3.5/5 stars because it was very short and felt a little rushed on the plot, but it was enjoyable and entertaining. Very quick read. It made me laugh a lot, and some of the commentary was relatable.

The Footman is definitely a retelling narrative of Cinderella mixed with hints of the Shrek and Rapunzel vibes. I laughed a lot through this story and for that I enjoyed it. Luke is for sure golden puppy energy despite is true Neigh-ture. ;-)

This story is on the same level as the Unhinged book, but for all the right reasons. Give it a try and enjoy the ride.

[Alexis Crotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wild ride! It was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the storyline with all of the magic and elements of the original story that were incorporated. I absolutely despised Chad and his mommy issues and was glad to see his story play out the way it did. I loved the quick wit that was sprinkled throughout and got some good laughs. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect going in knowing about their "differences", but I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you're looking for a book that will give off the comforting vibes of the old tale you know while being completely its own with some SPICE, The Footman is for you.
I received a free advanced review copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love fairytale retellings I have this one for you! This twisted Cinderella retelling grabbed me from page one and did not let go! Cynthia our FMC is defiant, headstrong and refreshingly bold. And then we have Chad our MMC, literal in all senses and all the cringe you would expect with the name and written so well. Then there is Luke who after a little magic becomes *ahem* the hero of the story! The ending was a couple of twists that I did NOT see coming or expect but ended up being an interesting surprise. This book was so good and the spice was next level. Give it a read!

[Melissa Melmch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cinderella retelling that’s totally twisted! This was a great short read. I have never read a retelling with a twist quite like this and I loved it! In this story Cynthia our fmc and her father have a beautiful bond and her step mother and step sisters are not great but when her father dies she tries to run away and meets her fairy godmother of sorts and this is where the story begins… read it!

I have loved everything written by this author and this twisted retelling of Cinderella did not disappoint

[B. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Footman is a Cinderella retelling full of what if’s, magic, and some questionable anatomy which makes for a fun story. Overall there is spice, great dialogue, and one of the best one sentence chapters I’ve read in a long time. This one isn’t meant to be taken seriously and it’s a fun little refresher between heavier reads to just explore a little fairy tale life that ends in unexpected ways.

Is there a happy ending?

Yes.

Is it the funniest twist upon what could happen?

Also yes.

Loved this one to pieces and I’m looking forward to exploring more of Burd’s work.

[iesha Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

lets just say i was not expecting this cinderella retelling. when i thought i had read just about all the retellings i was just proven wrong. what do you mean she falls for someone i was not expecting??? i mean all those twists and turns kept me on my toes... and i mean now i can clearly picture exactly what hung like a horse means LMAO!! the banter was great the attraction was fire. i highly recommend

[Aprilreadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This twisted Cinderella retelling had me laughing, shocked, and at times going 😳😳😳. The story follows Cynthia, Luke, and a drama filled royal family. There’s spice, magic, and twists throughout. This was so well written with multiple povs that gave you perspective of how several characters felt in each moment. Check all trigger warnings and grab this one! Thank you for letting me read!

[Ally Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Footman is everything I want in a Cinderella retelling. Beautiful FMC, a twist that keeps you guessing, and a very handsome man??horse??(we'll just say very handsome male)

I was surprised at every turn of this book and loved the fact the bbeg was named Chad. S.A. Burd is so unique with her writing. I will always read anything that she puts out.

Don't get me started on the spice..... (hung like a horse)!!!!!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have received this book As a arc read But SA Burd has done it again! All the books I've read from her I have absolutely loved. This was a Cinderella retelling with a twist. I love that the bases of the original story were there. But with a twist and spice that made the story, its own and enjoyable
if you like
💙Cinderella retelling
💙 murderous prince
💙 tricky magic
💙 forbidden love
Then you should read The Footman by SA Burd
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

[Kendra Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is NOT yo mama’s Cinderella retelling! Even after reading the blurb and the content warnings, I was still surprised. The story was spicy, funny, shocking, and full of twists. I loved how the FMC was NOT just your helpless damsel but still at times innocent. And did I mention there were twists to this book?? It’s a pretty quick read and not too heavy. Definitely had fun with this one.

[Danielle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Cinderella being my favorite princess, I just knew this would be a great book! And boy was I right! S.A. Burd has done it again with another great story!

This Cinderella retelling takes a completely different spin and I am all for it! Falling for the man who’s been in your life for a decade instead of the “prince” such a great twist!

[Evie Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!! As always, Burd is as unhinged as she is creative. This Cinderella retelling definitely has a twist! If you're looking to get into monster-smut, but not sure you can handle it, this is the book for you. Wanting a fairy tell retelling that isn't like the others, then this is the book for you. Looking for some straight unhinged WTF did I just read? then this is the book for you.

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting this ending! Totally loved the twist on this Cinderella retelling. It was a quick read and once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. Read in one sitting. Must pick up if you enjoy retellings.

[Irma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different Cinderella retelling I really enjoyed reading it’s a fast read and the plot is good the main characters I fell in love with and the twist at the end I did not see coming so cute loved all the characters highly recommend

[Kristina Shewmaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

not your average fairytale. Its a good take on Cinderella that shows not every prince is a prince charming some are a Chad and sometimes the footman is better

[Lauren Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, spicy, adorable, and I was ready to fight everybody because I kept getting interrupted!!! I love this cute story, this spin on Cinderella was really clever

[Micki-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Cinderella retelling I’m not sure I’m fully here for, I do love retelling a but more violent ones.

She already had a horse so why change him into a man and turn 2 mice into horses she only needed one more horse.
I mean I get it he has to be the foot man for the story to work, it really plays on the idea of hung like a horse

It’s a fun and enjoyable story but it just wasn’t for me.

[Bessy Mejia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very spicy and quite unexpected twist to the original Cinderella story. Let just say,, hung like a horse has a meaning to it 😂

Quick read and easy to enjoy 🔥

[Happy reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Footman was both captivating and sensual, with a compelling storyline and a perfect ending.